Getting Promoted in the Air Force

When it comes to getting promoted in the United States Air Force, we must consider the commissioned and enlisted sides of the house. This article will briefly cover promotion requirements for commissioned officers but will mainly focus on enlisted advancements.

Officer promotions in the Air Force are very similar to other branches of service. Advancement is normally based on several factors. These factors include time in grade, professional military education, and billets filled. Barring outstanding circumstances, to achieve the next rank an officer must hold his or her current rank for a certain amount of time. The amount of time needed depends on the rank. Next, to be seriously considered for promotion, an officer must complete the required professional military education for that rank. For example, captains must complete Squadron Officer School for any hope to reach the rank of major. Along with having the right education, an officer must also have the right experiences. These generally include a stint as an Executive Officer as a second lieutenant, but will also include joint, supervisory and leadership positions. Remember, officers are groomed to be leaders and must have the experience to back that up. There are other areas to consider in officer promotions, such as the career field and mentoring. Career fields with an excess of personnel may either reassign people to other fields or may entice them to leave the service, sometimes against their wishes. Career fields with shortages may pull volunteers or non-volunteers from other areas to fill their ranks. On an observational note, flying officers tend to be promoted farther and faster than desk jockeys. Also, civilians in professional fields such as medical, clergy or psychology will often receive their first commission at ranks higher than second lieutenant.

On the enlisted side, promotions are harder to obtain and not guaranteed in any way, with very few exceptions. Airman Basic (AB), Airman (Amn), Airman First Class (A1C) and Senior Airman (SrA) promotions are almost automatically obtained with good conduct and adequate performance. Basically, keeping one's nose clean will allow one to be promoted. The only requirement beyond this is obtaining the time-in-grade. Members must hold their rank for a certain amount of time before promotion consideration. An AB, for example, must complete six months at that rank in order to attain the rank of Amn. New recruits with prior college credits may be able to enlist with one or two stripes, however. New recruits who opt for an extended initial service period may also be eligible for immediate promotion after completing basic training. These "free" promotions end when members reach 36 time-in-service. Senior Airmen may remain in the Air Force for 10 years, and must either attain a promotion, a waiver for extension, or accept discharge. Waivers may be obtained for a high-year tenure of 12 years in certain circumstances.

From the point of SrA (E4) through Chief Master Sergeant (E9), the ability to attain promotions rests almost exclusively in the hands of the member. Promotions are obtained using the Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS). This system incorporates six distinct areas. These areas include time-in-grade, time-in-service, decorations, enlisted performance reports, a general Air Force knowledge test (PDG) and a career field skills test (SKT).

Members receive .5 points for each month they hold their current grade, up to a maximum of 60 points. Air Force personnel also receive 2 points per year, up to 40 point for time-in-service (at Senior Master Sergeant, or E8, the point structure changes slightly). Up to 25 points can be earned for decorations and medals, with the point amount depending on which medals have been earned. The two tests (PDG and SKT) are combined for up to 200 points total. The most convoluted part of this system is the enlisted performance reports (EPR). Members receive a maximum of 135 points for their current and prior performance reports. Each of the last 10 performance reports is converted to a certain amount of points, with reports being progressively worth less with age. This means poor performance now can harm your promotion ability for the next 10 years so weigh your actions carefully!

When yearly promotions roll around, members will be assigned dates to take their two tests. The results of these tests are combined with the point totals from all the other areas to give the member a total score. Every member competes for promotion with every other person of the same rank and career field. While all the scores are being tallied, Air Force headquarters personnel make projects on how many people will need to be promoted at each rank and career field. This process normally takes several months, in which eligible personnel must sit and wait anxiously for their results. This number is then turned into a percentage of testing members, creating a "cut-off score". Members with scores above this number are promoted, while those with lower scores are not. The Air Force then promotes enough people to reach that quota. For example, say the Air Force determines than 22% of the E6s in the radio operator field need to be promoted to ensure a good balance in the ranks. The top 22% of eligible radio operators will then receive a promotion, while the remaining 78% must sit it out until the next test cycle and try it all over again.

Once members attain the rank of Master Sergeant (E7), the system changes slightly. Promotion to E8 and E9 use the "whole person" concept. Along with the point system stated earlier for lower ranks, personnel are also measured in other areas including base and community support, leadership traits and managerial skills. While promotion up to this rank is greatly determined by EPR and test scores, competition for the top two ranks becomes much more competitive and selective.

After its determined which people will get promoted, selected members are given a promotion sequence number that correlates to their time-in-service. During the next year, members will be promoted in monthly increments according to their line number. People that have been in a long time may be promoted as early as the first day of the next month after promotion results are released. Personnel with less time in service may wind up waiting for over a year before their promotion becomes effective.

There are, of course, some inherent problems with this system of promotion. EPRs are based on a supervisor's recommendation for promotion. This means the EPR system can be easily influenced by personal or professional bias, or supervisor incompetence. Also, members who are excellent performers may perform poorly during testing cycles. Test anxiety can easily hold back even the best of workers. Finally, some career fields are simply harder to get promoted in than others. Career fields with large populations often require lower "cut-off scores". This means that two people who have the exact same numbers may not be promoted at the same rate because one may need to score 300 points while the other needs 360 points. Imagine needing to score 30 points higher on a test than the person next to you just to get the same grade! On the other hand, the Air Force system of promotions cultivates a mentality of constant study and improvement.

There are a few ways in which Air Force members can improve their chances of promotion. The first is to study. Study your Professional Development Guide (PDG) and your Career Development Courses (CDC). The biggest mistake people make is not studying for their promotion tests. With a potential 200 points on the line, its in your best interests to know the test material. Don't wait until the last few days, then attempt to learn everything in those last moments. Develop a structured study program and stick to it. Another way to boost your chances is to ensure your promotion reports are stellar. This means trying your best at any job given to you and continually seeking out challenges. Follow the rules and set a good example for fellow Airmen. Become technically proficient and be your units "go to guy". In other words, be the expert at your job. Be an active member of the base, whether its with squadron activities or through volunteer opportunities. Prior to your test date, ensure your records are accurate and up to date. Pursue your education, whether its through off base courses or professional military education. The more you know, the greater asset you become to your work center. Finally, always act and perform as if you were already wearing that next stripe. Be a leader amongst your peers and let your abilities shine.